In 1974, Sakharov wrote:

In the future, later than in 50 years, I intend to create a World Information System (WIS), which will make available to everyone at any moment the content of any book, ever and anywhere published, the content of any article, obtaining any reference. VIS should include individual miniature request transceivers, control points that control information flows, communication channels including thousands of artificial communications satellites, cable and laser lines. Even a partial implementation of the VIS will have a profound impact on each person’s life, on their leisure, on their intellectual and artistic development. Unlike television, which is the main source of information for many contemporaries, VIS will give everyone maximum freedom in choosing information and require individual activity.